THE OFFALY SIDE to face Westmeath in Mullingar in the Leinster SHC quarter-final tonight will feature three debutants.

Just five players retain their places in the Faithful team from the 2-22 to 1-11 defeat to Westmeath in last year’s round robin clash.

Kevin Ryan has named Enda Grogan, Padraic Guinan and Oisín Kelly as part of his starting 15 for the local derby. Key forward Shane Dooley lines out at centre-forward.

James Dempsey, Sean Ryan, Shane Kinsella, Dooley and Ben Connelly are only the players who started in the 2016 game as new boss Ryan looks to youth.

Niall O’Brien’s return is the only change in the Westmeath team from their outing against Meath the last time out.

Derek McNicholas, who scored a point in their Round 3 victory over Meath, is suspended is replaced by O’Brien.

Offaly

James Dempsey

Ben Conneely
Conor Doughan
Enda Grogan

Sean Gardiner
Dermot Shortt
Sean Ryan

David King
Padraic Guinan

Shane Kinsella
Shane Dooley
Peter Geraghty

Sean Cleary
Oisín Kelly
Emmett Nolan

Westmeath

Paddy Moloney

Conor Shaw
Tommy Doyle
Tommy Gallagher

Aaron Craig
Paul Greville
Shane Power

Aonghus Clarke
Gary Greville

Cormac Boyle
Niall Mitchell
Robbie Greville

Killian Doyle
Niall O’Brien
Allan Devine

Subs:

Paddy Carroll
Joey Boyle
Darragh Egerton
Jack Galvin
Alan Cox
Brendan Murtagh
Kieran Duncan
Shane McGovern
Darren Giles
Mick Heeney
Phelim Burke

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